Nicky Devlin Scotland moment hailed by Steve Clarke as Aberdeen star saves Portugal point

Nicky Devlin has had quite the journey to get to international football.

The 30-year-old has only been playing top flight football in Scotland for five years after moving about the lower leagues here and down in England. Turned AWAY by then Stenhousemuir boss Scott Booth in 2014, he went on to turn out for Ayr United and Wallsall before getting a move to Livingston.

Even then, he only made 11 Premiership appearances in his first season there. But after becoming a key player for the Lions he more than deserved his move to Aberdeen.

Devlin quickly became one the Dons’ main men too and hasn’t looked out of place in European games and in a side mounting an early claim for a title challenge.

Still, he probably never envisioned winning his first Scotland cap at the age of 30, but that’s exactly what happened last night against Portugal.

Devlin saves Scotland a point vs Portugal

Right-back has been a real problem for Steve Clarke with both Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson long-term injury absentees. Anthony Ralston is third choice and has been playing, with Ross McCrorie also called into squads.

But Devlin’s time for a call-up came for this double header against Croatia and the Portuguese and the manager had no qualms about turning to him last night when Ralston’s race was run.

And that proved to be vindicated when the Aberdeen star made an outstanding and crucial block to deny Rafael Leao an 88th-minute winner. Clarke admits it was a point-saving challenge.

He said: “It was fantastic. First cap for Nicky, a moment to remember. Basically, he got us the point with that block. He was brave.

“I had no doubt about putting Nicky into the game. He’s trained really well and fitted into the group.

“He’s got good experience and he’s got games under his belt. I knew when Tony was ready to come off that Nicky would be fine, and he was.”

Devlin’s Aberdeen form

In a miserable campaign for the Dons last time out, the rampaging right-back was one rare shining light.

And he continues to be that as they compete at the right end of the table this term, chipping in with two goals already.

Not the Old Firm included Devlin in our list of best full-backs in the Premiership so far this season.

With right-back slots still up for grabs in the national team, he will hope to keep up his form to maintain his spot.

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